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Highland pony society

3.
We will discuss together
pony evolution
resultant structure and function
conformation and performance
specific conformation problems
how to avoid problems

4.
The Horse
Some pertinent evolutionary facts
It is a
• Herd animal
• Galloping animal
– Chased ‘prey’ species. Fright Flight (not fight!)
• Defender rather than an aggressor
• Single limb bone column: on Tip Toe
– Pedal bone in horn capsule, the hoof
•
•
Grazer so requiring
– large head
– long neck
– capacious digestive system
Four legged, one at each corner, with
– no collar bone
– powerful hindquarters

5.
The Horse
As a prey animal the wild horse had to be
• Readily aware
• Quick off the mark
• Agile, fast and balanced in asymmetric gaits
• Quick to return to grazing composure
As a domesticated horse the
• Fright and Flight had to be trained (converted) into
• Alertness
• Responsiveness to aids, (biddable)
• Capable in all gaits (increasing speed and agility)
• Not stressed under saddle
• Fit to do and to recover

7.
80% of propulsion comes from the hindquarters
• Hamstring and pelvic muscle power
• Top line muscle power to lift forequarter “come
up in front”
• Good shoulder / pastern line
• Saddle room for shoulder blade sweep
Always view from both sides
Growth to maturity is judged by final height at
withers
• Brisket, ribs, vertebrae & dorsal processes later
• Limb bones to elbow close around 2 years
•
This age of this varies with breed
•
Ponies usually earlier than warm bloods

8.
The Horse’s outline - Points are those of the skeleton
•
•
The surface areas – the jargonese description or name of the various parts
The “points”
– The landmarks at protruding parts of bones usually at a joint
– Visible and palpable
– Obesity does not hide the points

9.
The skeletal top line and the bird’s eye views show areas
of bone available for optimal muscle attachment. i.e.
•
•
•
•
Flat of ribs
Side of dorsal processes
Lateral processes of lumbars
Flat of upper hind limb bones
– Ham string and thigh muscles “size”

15.
A balanced horse at grass
Able to graze without compromise of forelegs

16.
Dynamic balance
•
•
•
•
ALL horses and ponies in order to
Survive and evolve
Whatever their discipline
Must have conformation that allows the horse
or pony to maintain dynamic , as well as
static, balance & allow the rider empathy
• Our recent gold medals reflects the increased
understanding and promotion of this basic
principle

17.
Dynamic balance
• Must start at DAY 1and continue throughout
the horse or pony’s life

19.
THE NECK AND TORSO
• Aim for the lightness of the forehand
• If the neck comes out of the top of the shoulders
• →
easy to carry head and neck with supple topline
• Neck pain may cause forelimb lameness

20.
The neck and torso
• LOW SET NECK
• NECK NEEDS TO BE LIFTED TO COME OFF THE FOREHAND
• →
BACK STIFFNESS

41.
DEFINITION OF A CURB
• COMPLEX OF SOFT TISSUE INJURIES ON BACK OF THE HOCK JOINTS
• CONFORMATIONAL BONY ABNORMALITIES AND/OR INJURIES MAY MIMIC
AND CONTRIBUTE EVENTUALLY TO CURB FORMATION
• CAUSING UNDER PERFORMANCE AND LAMENESS

42.
PASTERNS
• SLOPING
• →
• →
OVEREXTENDED FETLOCK
STRAIN UP THE WHOLE OF THE BACK OF THE LEG TO
THE PELVIS AND BACK
• UPRIGHT
• →
JARRING OF JOINTS ESPECIALLY FETLOCK →
WINDGALLS
ARTICULAR AND TENDINOUS

44.
Conclusion
The good Competition Horse should
– Be well balanced
– “Fill the eye”
– Have conformation that gives the appearance of balance and comfort
– To allow him to express the will and do the job required

46.
VETERINARY TIMES JANUARY 25TH 2010
“ANIMAL LOVERS UNABLE TO RECOGNISE PORTLY
EQUINES”
WORLD HORSE WELFARE CHARITY POLL
i) 50% could not recognise pictures of overweight horses
and many did not view condition as a welfare threat
JUDGES:
Go National Hunt racing to see fit horses
ii) Thin horses often the correct weight, but looked thin
compared to overweight field companions

47.
LAMINITIS
• LAMINITIS
– CAN START IN UTERO
– CAN AFFECT THE THIN PREVIOUSLY OBESE HORSE
– BUT THE SIGNS ARE OBVIOUS

52.
• HORSE WITH GOOD CONFORMATION WILL/SHOULD
• BE EXHIBITED IN CONDITION SUITABLE FOR JOB IN HAND
• THOSE HORSES WITH WEAK CONFORMATION ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE
EXHIBITED TOO FAT IN ORDER TO HIDE FAULTS
• I.E FAT HORSE IS INDICATION OF CONFORMATION PROBLEM

53.
JUDGES
• ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY AWARE OF THE CORRECT BODY
WEIGHT TO PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS BUT MUST REMAIN
VIGILANT
• THE OVERWEIGHT HORSE WILL OVERLOAD JOINTS ESPECIALLY ON
HARD GROUND
• ↓ ABILITY TO GALLOP ESPECIALLY IN CHAMPIONSHIPS
• BE PREDISPOSED TO LAMINITIS

55.
THE FEET
The hoof wall is modified skin (epidermis) thus
•
It is constantly growing down from the
coronary band
•
Coincidentally worn down or trimmed
•
The whole hoof as judged at weight
bearing should be balanced front to
back, side to side, to give level foot fall
•
Should be trimmed to conformation of
the individual limb
•
It is subject to distortion by torque from
action due to poor conformation
and/or foot balance